Publication
Title
The organo-metal-like nature of long-range conduction in cable bacteria
Author
Abstract
Cable bacteria are filamentous, multicellular microorganisms that display an exceptional form of biological electron transport across centimeter-scale distances. Currents are guided through a network of nickel-containing protein fibers within the cell envelope. Still, the mechanism of long-range conduction remains unresolved. Here, we characterize the conductance of the fiber network under dry and wet, physiologically relevant, conditions. Our data reveal that the fiber conductivity is high (median value: 27 S cm−1; range: 2 to 564 S cm−1), does not show any redox signature, has a low thermal activation energy (Ea = 69 ± 23 meV), and is not affected by humidity or the presence of ions. These features set the nickel-based conduction mechanism in cable bacteria apart from other known forms of biological electron transport. As such, conduction resembles that of an organic semi-metal with a high charge carrier density. Our observation that biochemistry can synthesize an organo-metal-like structure opens the way for novel bio-based electronic technologies.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Bioelectrochemistry: an international journal devoted to electrochemical aspects of biology and biological aspects of electrochemistry. - Oxford
Publication
Oxford : Elsevier , 2024
ISSN
1567-5394
DOI
10.1016/J.BIOELECHEM.2024.108675
Volume/pages
157 (2024) , p. 1-10
Article Reference
108675
ISI
001209103200001
Pubmed ID
38422765
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Elucidating the mechanism of microbial long-distance electron transport.
Protein-based next generation electronics (PRINGLE).
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 14.04.2024
Last edited 06.07.2024
To cite this reference